Moscow wants to be informed about Moldova’s cooperation with EU

Date of publication: 17 01 2017, 18:52

Russia ready to act as a mediator and a guarantor in order to help settle the Transnistria issue, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference following his talks with his Moldovan counterpart Igor Dodon.

According to Putin, at Tuesday’s meeting, the parties exchanged their views on the matter.

“We need to search for a mutually acceptable legal model to settle this issue based on generally recognized international laws,” the Russian leader stated. “Russia is ready to continue acting as a mediator and back the agreements that the parties to the conflict may reach.”

“We consistently advocate the republic’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, preservation of its non-aligned and neutral status,” the Russian leader said.

Dodon has expressed the hope that Russia will provide assistance in resolving the Transnistrian crisis.

“Transnistria is part of the Republic of Moldova… I do very much hope that, due to active involvement of our strategic partners in Russia, we will make progress in solving the problems residents on both banks of the Dniester River are facing,” he said.

According to Dodon, Moldova “has learned the lessons and took into account the mistakes of the early 2000s” concerning resolving the Transnistrian issue. “I am sure that we will not make these mistakes again and will move forward,” he said.

The Russian president said Moscow would like to remain informed on Moldova’s cooperation with the European Union.

“We have no objections if our counterparts, including Moldova, develop their relations with other countries, particularly in Europe,” Putin said. “Only we would like to remain informed, so that things that we have achieved are not destroyed while our economies and social sector continue to develop leading to a growth in living standards.”

According to Putin, Tuesday’s talks were substantive, the parties thoroughly discussed the entire range of bilateral relations and set guidelines for further cooperation. The two presidents paid particular attention to regional cooperation. The Russian leader welcomed Moldova’s determination to fully restore relations.